Quality-first compression rules
Most “quality loss” comes from images. The goal here is smaller size with the same professional look.
Rule #1: Use Compact first (quality mode)
Compact mode keeps the PDF structure (fonts/vectors/layout) and focuses on optimizing images and unnecessary data. This is the best option when you care about clarity.
Rule #2: Avoid Rasterize unless you must
Rasterize can reduce size dramatically, but it turns pages into images (often reducing clarity and making text harder to select/search). Use it only when you have a strict size target.
Rule #3: Your PDF type decides the outcome
Text-heavy PDFs usually compress well with minimal visible change. Image-heavy PDFs (scans/photos) may require stronger compression and can’t always stay perfectly “lossless.”
When this page is the right choice
Use this when your priority is clarity (sharp text, clean layout), not maximum shrinking.
Professional documents
Best for CVs, contracts, proposals, invoices, and reports where text must remain crisp.
Logos & vector graphics
Compact compression is ideal when your PDF has vector logos/charts you don’t want blurred.
Reasonable size reduction
If you’re trying to shrink a file while keeping it “looking the same,” this page is the right entry point.
Readability-first sharing
Use when you want smaller downloads without compromising readability for the recipient.
How to compress a PDF without losing quality (3 steps)
1) Upload your PDF
Upload the PDF you want to shrink. The file is transferred over an encrypted TLS connection for processing.
2) Choose Compact (retain-PDF)
Select Compact to preserve sharp text and layout. This is the recommended mode for professional documents.
3) Download the smaller PDF
Download instantly. No signup and no watermark.
Smart PDF Compression
- Guaranteed Size Reduction
- Smart Mode: Preserves Text (Vectors)
- Force Mode: Flattens to printable images
Drop your PDF here
We'll analyze it to see how much we can compress.
Compress PDF without losing quality — FAQs
Can I compress a PDF without losing quality?
Often you can reduce file size with minimal visible change—especially for text-heavy PDFs—by using Compact mode. However, image-heavy PDFs (scans/photos) may require stronger compression that can reduce clarity.
Is this “lossless” compression?
Not always. True lossless compression for PDFs is limited, because large size is usually caused by embedded images. Compact mode is quality-first, but images can still be recompressed for size reduction.
Which mode should I use to keep text sharp?
Use Compact (retain-PDF). It preserves PDF structure so text and vector elements stay crisp. Avoid Rasterize unless you have a strict size target.
Why didn’t my PDF shrink much?
Some PDFs are already optimized, or the file is dominated by images that are hard to compress without quality loss. If you need more reduction, try Rasterize or remove unnecessary pages.
Will the layout/fonts change?
Compact mode is designed to preserve layout and readability. Results vary by PDF, but this is the best mode when you want the document to still look professional.
Is my PDF uploaded to your servers?
Your PDF is transferred over an encrypted TLS connection to our compression backend and Adobe PDF Services for processing. Avoid uploading extremely sensitive documents to any online service.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari (iOS) or Chrome (Android) and compress PDFs without installing an app.
If I need a strict limit (like 1MB), what should I do?
Use the size-target pages like Compress to 1MB/2MB/5MB/10MB. They’re designed for strict upload limits.